3 Ways To Avoid Falling Into The Trap Of Comparing Yourself To Others*

We all do it and we all have done it, comparing ourselves to
others that is. Isn't it funny how we always seem to compare
ourselves with those who we perceive as having or achieving more,
whether it be talent, status, money, power or material items. A
sure fire way to be unhappy is to compare yourselves with others.
It is a false benchmark of your own success and development.

The goal of beating your personal best should be your focus and
desire. Realising your potential is your journey and
responsibility.

If you fall into the habit of continually comparing yourself to
others, you will ensure that you are perpetually unhappy and
unsatisfied, no matter how much you achieve.

Here are 3 ways to avoid falling into the trap of
comparing yourself to others:

1. Think about how far you have come, as opposed to how
far you have left to travel.

This is made much easier by keeping a journal or dream book (I
will write about designing your own dream book in an upcoming
post). A dream book is the collation of your goals for the future
and goals achieved. As you progress through life, a commitment to
journal entry or a dream book will pay dividends in the confidence
and sense of accomplishment you will feel.

As you build a portfolio of YOU, the collection of your life's
wins combine to create massive forward momentum for your future,
providing you with the perspective of how far you have come.

Imagine the confidence you will feel when 5 years after setting
and committing to paper a BHAG (big, hairy, audacious, goal) you
can write in your journal or attach a photo of you having realised
that very dream, it is immensely powerful.

2. Be true to yourself and live a life by your own
values and beliefs - you will be judged anyway.

There is nothing riskier in life than getting to your last days
wishing you had lived a life more true to yourself and not what
others had expected from you. I was told PT was risky and getting
into business was even more risky, I'm very glad I did not listen
to the naysayers and followed my own path. There is way more risk
living someone else's life rather than your own.

3. Compare yourself only with yourself, no one is better
at being you than you!

It is human nature to compare, this is not a bad trait if used
the right way. Redirect your focus on others and turn it onto
yourself by asking the right questions:

What are you doing right now in your life that correlates
directly with your own set of values?

List the things you are doing now that you couldn't do 5,3 or
even 1 year ago?

What will you do today that will shape your future and move you
closer to your goals tomorrow?

Which new decisions have you made or what new actions have you
taken that have resulted in you moving in a new direction in your
life?

What have you done recently that you never thought you could
do?

What have you experienced for the first time this year?

Essentially these questions get you to think about how you are
becoming a better person, and taking ownership, responsibility and
accountability over your life. We are all different and have
different gifts, backgrounds, experiences and intentions for our
lives.

Commit to a continued existence of beating your own personal
bests and to become a new and improved version of yourself.

You are the subject matter that counts. Comparing ourselves with
someone else is an inaccurate and irrelevant measurement of
success.